Head AI Engineer — Clinical Data Analytics

Exelixis; Alameda (CA); On-site; USD 172,000 - 245,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Life and disability insurance

Stock purchase plan

15 accrued vacation days

17 paid holidays

Up to 10 sick days

Job summary

Exelixis in the United States is seeking an AI Principal Engineer – Clinical Data Analytics to lead data engineering, AI capabilities, and governance across the Development organization. The role blends strategic vision with hands‑on execution, driving MLOps, data architectures, and cloud‑native patterns for analytics and regulated AI use cases, in partnership with Data Science and Statistics.

You will own data platforms, ensure security and compliance, and translate business questions into

Qualifications

• Advanced experience with Databricks, Unity Catalog, Delta Lake and lakehouse governance.
• Advanced proficiency in Python and SQL; working knowledge of R if needed.
• Intermediate knowledge across clinical data domains and analytics, with data governance.
• Knowledge of Delta Lake, Data Modeling Best Practices and Delta Lakehouse architecture.
• Metadata Management and Data Lineage in Unity Catalog.
• Enterprise Data Governance Methodologies and Data Catalog tools (Atlan, Collibra, Reltio).
• BI platforms: Spotfire, Tableau, Power BI.
• SaaS AWS Cloud Infra: S3, EC2, Lambda, Glue, Redshift.
• CI/CD tooling and Data Pipelines.

Responsibilities

• Develop production AI/ML and Generative AI solutions with lifecycle management.
• Partner with leaders to scope and deliver high-impact analytics and AI use cases.
• Lead MLOps/LLMOps for model deployment, prompt/version management, monitoring and governance.
• Standardize data models, semantic layers and APIs for analytics and AI apps.
• Serve as advisor translating business questions into data solutions.
• Enable data-driven decisions through harmonized metrics and KPIs.
• Demonstrate analytical, conceptual and integrative thinking for business needs and risk.

Skills

Databricks

Python

SQL

MLOps

LLMOps

Delta Lake

Unity Catalog

Data Governance

Data Modeling

Cloud AWS

BI Platforms

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Master's degree in Computer Science or related field

Equivalent combination of education and experience

Tools

Unity Catalog

Delta Lake

SaaS AWS Cloud

Atlan

Collibra

Reltio

Spotfire

Tableau

Power BI

ETL Tooling

Job description

SUMMARY/JOB PURPOSE

The AI Principal Engineer - Clinical Data Analytics is a leader responsible for building and scaling data engineering and AI capabilities across the Development organization. This incumbent acts as a strategic business partner across Data Science and Statistics (DSS) functions, integrating data across domains to generate actionable, outcome-driven insights and AI capabilities, including Generative and Agentic AI. Owns data architecture, governed data products, and cloud-native engineering patterns that enable analytics, machine learning, and Generative AI use cases in a regulated environment. Combines hands-on technical depth in data engineering and AI engineering with strong operational discipline across platform reliability, security, governance and lifecycle management.

The role combines strategic vision, deep technical expertise, strong governance discipline and hands-on execution, enabling Exelixis to responsibly leverage data engineering, advanced analytics and AI in a highly regulated environment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop production AI/ML and Generative AI solutions, including evaluation, deployment, monitoring and lifecycle management.
• Partner with business leaders to identify, scope, prioritize and deliver high-impact, outcome-driven analytics and AI use cases.
• Lead MLOps/LLMOps practices for model deployment, prompt/version management, monitoring and governance.
• Standardize reusable data models, semantic layers, and APIs for downstream analytics and AI applications.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to functional leaders, translating business questions into data and analytics solutions.
• Enable timely, data-driven decision-making through harmonized metrics, KPIs and insight frameworks.
• Effectively contributes highly developed analytical skills, conceptual thinking and integrative vision required to drive customer needs, business performance and risk management.
• Strong ability to explain technial concepts to non-technical members of the organization.
• Demonstrate strong understanding of AI/ML models, model performance, efficiency and algorithm explainability.
• Establish best practices for prompt engineering, AI usage training and model governance to ensure safe, effective adoption.
• Collaborate with Legal, Compliance and Security teams to ensure AI solutions meet regulatory and ethical standards.
• Design, implement and evolve modern data architectures, including data warehouses, data lakes and data pipelines.
• Ensure scalable, reliable and high-performance data platforms in collaboration with infrastructure and IT teams.
• Evaluate, select and optimize data management, analytics and AI technologies and tools.
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Complies with all policies and standards

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• None.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS & ABILITIES

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Sciences, Data in a related field (e.g., Information Services, Data Science) or equivalent and a minimum of eleven years of related experience; or,
• Master's degree in Computer Sciences, Data in a related field (e.g., Information Services, Data Science) or equivalent and a minimim of nine years of related experience; or,
• Equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Required:

• Advanced experience with Databricks, Unity Catalog, Delta Lake and lakehouse governance.
• Advanced proficiency in Python and SQP; working knowledge of R if needed.
• Intermediate knowledge and enterprise experience leading data acquisition, analytics, and AI-based capabilities across multiple clinical domains.
• Intermediate knowledge of Delta Lake, Data Modeling Best Practices and Delta Lakehouse architecture.
• Intermediate knowledge of Metadata Management and Data Lineage Tracking in Unity Catalog.
• Intermediate knowledge of Enterprise Data Governance Methodologies and Data Cataloging Tools (e.g., Atlan, Colibra, Reltio).
• Advanced skills in developing and administering BI platforms, including Spotfire, Tableau, and Power BI.
• Advanced technical expertise in SaaS AWS Cloud Infrastructure, including SE, EC2, Lambda, Glue, Redshift.
• Intermediate skills with CI/CD Tooling and Version Control as part of Data Pipeline and Data Integration strategies.
• Intermediate abilities in Data Modeling and Warehouse Infrastructure Architecture.
• Advanced knowledge and abilities in Data Modeling, Data Integration Development, DevOps and Data Governance.
• Intermediate knowledge and skills in administering and developing with classified sensitive data and analytical products.
• Advanced knowledge and ability to provide data services and system ownership in a GxP-governed enterprise setting.
• Intermediate knowledge of Databricks maintenance and monitoring implementation strategies.
• Advanced knowledge of pharmaceutical and/or CRO industry practices with broad experience in one or more of the domains of Clinical Data Strategy and Insights.
• Advanced interpersonal, influencing, presentation, written and verbal communication skills.
• Advanced organizational and time management skills.

Travel Requirements

• 30% Ability to travel globally

#LI-JP1

Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across severalU.S. geographic markets, and we pay differently based on those defined markets. The base pay range for this positionis $172,000 - $245,000 annually. The base pay range may take into account the candidate's geographic region, which will adjust the pay depending on the specific work location. The base pay offered will take into account the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, experience and internal equity, among other factors.In addition to the base salary, as part of our Total Rewards program, Exelixis offers comprehensive employee benefits package, including a 401k plan with generous company contributions, group medical, dental and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, and flexible spending accounts. Employees are also eligible for a discretionary annual bonus program, or if field sales staff, a sales-based incentive plan. Exelixis also offers employees the opportunity to purchase company stock, and receive long-term incentives, 15 accrued vacation days in their first year, 17 paid holidays including a company-wide winter shutdown in December, and up to 10 sick days throughout the calendar year.

If you have a disability and need an accommodation in relation to the application and/or recruitment process, please email us at: [e-mail].

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Our office is a modern space that fosters collaboration and creativity. Teams work closely together, sharing ideas and solutions in a supportive atmosphere. We provide all necessary equipment, including dual monitors and ergonomic chairs, to ensure a comfortable workspace.

DISCLAIMER:
The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.